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Intellectual Property
Copyright Infringement
Contributory Infringement

The Sheldon Abend Revocable Trust v. Steven Spielberg, Dreamworks, LLC, Paramount Pictures Corp., Viacom, Inc., NBC Universal Inc., Universal Pictures Corp., United International Pictures, B.V.

Published: May 7, 2011 | Result Date: Sep. 21, 2010 | Filing Date: Jan. 1, 1900 |

Case number: 1:2008-cv-07810 Bench Decision –  Summary Judgment

Court

SD New York


Attorneys

Plaintiff

Clay M. Townsend

Steven M. Hayes

Keith R. Mitnik


Defendant

Andrew M. White
(Kelley Drye & Warren LLP)

Scott G. Goldfinger

Lee S. Brenner
(Venable LLP)

Allison S. Rohrer


Facts

The Sheldon Abend Revocable Trust brought an action against Steven Spielberg, Dreamworks LLC, Paramount Pictures Corp., and other defendants alleging copyright infringement, contributory infringement and vicarious copyright infringement over the motion picture "Disturbia." Plaintiff claimed that the film infringed upon plaintiff's copyright in the short story "Rear Window." Plaintiff's claims premised upon similarity of the film to the film version of plaintiff's book was voluntarily dismissed. Defendant filed for partial summary judgment dismissing plaintiff's copyright infringement claim.

Result

the court granted defendant's motion for partial summary judgment and dismissed plaintiff's remaining claims for copyright infringement, vicarious infringement, and contributory infringement.


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